Hello My Dear Darling Friends!

I have been dragging a little these past few days.  I have been busy with work and took a rest from working out for 2 days in the middle of this week.  Last week I was getting an iced americano nearly every day and sometimes a 2nd coffee after that, but this week I have been drinking just one cup of drip coffee in the morning.  I can definitely feel the difference, but I know that it is better for me to have less caffeine so that I can sleep at night.

I could feel myself crashing by midday yesterday, but part of me knew it was because I was uninspired not tired.  So I pushed myself a little and decided to add some weights to my workout.  I have been reflecting on my habits and routines over the past year and part of me still laments the fact that I put on some weight since last year.  Last fall I was intermittent fasting and doing keto and doing zumba or dance fitness nearly everyday and weightlifting and running at least once a week and very stressed with school work and a project group that did not do anything until the day before the big final presentation.  I was trying to do EVERYTHING and I got great results.  I got thin and lean and felt amazing.  I also loved how my clothes were fitting and my image in the mirror, but I broke down and got sick.  This probably contributed to my weight loss too because I was hardly eating.  I became addicted to losing weight and getting results and this would have been harmful if I had continued on this path.  So now here I am.  Definitely not as thin as I was a year ago, but I am working on having a healthier mindset.  I want to be happy, healthy, and strong.

Today’s Workout:  Total Body Hiit + Yoga

30 Minute Full Body HIIT Workout w/ dumbbells:

If you have never done a HASfit (heart and soul fit) workout before, you should definitely start!  I love how inspiring this couple is.  Their workouts are always challenging, fun, and never boring.  All you need for this workout is a set or two of dumbbells.  And if you do not have dumbbells you can use soup cans or water bottles or your own bodyweight.

Yin Yoga For Upper Body | Release ALL your stress in 20 minutes

I started doing Yoga With Adriene’s shoulder stand foundations video, but once she got to the shoulder stand part I decided to stop.  Ever since I started working on my headstand a few days ago my neck / should blades started to bother me a little because my body is not accustomed to that shape.  I was just starting to feel a lot better so I decided to back off from the shoulder stand and to find a restorative practice.

This practice will take you to the sand dunes of Tibet.  Prepare to breathe deeply and hold the poses a little longer and feel your stress dissipate as you breathe and melt.

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Word of the Day:

fantods– noun

1. A state of extreme nervousness or restlessness; the willies; the fidgets.

Have you ever had the fantods?  I was feeling this way with my latest move.  I think this is normal because my entire environment changed and I was nervous about getting my cats shipped here.  Also, it has been customary for my anxiety and depression to be heightened in the early fall (around September.)  I am thankful that I am feeling a lot better now and am relieved that the cats made it here safely.

I hope you will enjoy your Friday and I will see you again soon!

❤ Alana